New Year, New Word

Last Saturday was a dreary day–wet and rainy–as we made our way back home. The younger girls were asleep and Lydia was listening to the story of The Horse and His Boy from The Chronicles of Narnia. I was thinking about my word for this year. I had one in mind, but it didn’t seem quite right. As I was listening to the story and staring out at gray interstate, I heard it.

“‘Child,’ said the Voice, ‘I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own.'” ~Aslan in The Horse and His Boy

And that was my word–Story. The word has much meaning to me because I love to write. I have a sweatshirt that has the words “Be True” on it, and that’s my greatest goal with writing–to be true. But when I heard that quote from The Horse and His Boy I was reminded how much I struggle comparing myself, trying to prove my worth by stacking myself against others. And how often I feel like I fall short. This year I want to enjoy the story God is telling me with all its plot twists and story lines. I want to cherish the characters in my story, those unique people who make up my village. I want to face my fears and take risks because every great story needs a protagonist who puts it all out there. And I want to live a story that compels my girls to want to know their Author. A life that beckons them into its pages and gives ink to their own stories.

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And He said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'” Isaiah 49:2-3